Thermostatically responsive valve



Nov, 1, 1949. w. EBERHARDT 2,485,706

THERMOSTATICALLY RESPONSIVE VALVE Filed April 24, 1948 I N V EN TOR. 7% H'arEberfi drill Patented Nov. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Walter'Eberhardt, Chicago, 111.

Application Apri124, 1948, Serial No. 23,091

8 Claims.

My invention relates to thermostatically re-H sponsive air valves with particular relation to use in connection with steam radiators.

I Most air'valves in present use in connection with steam radiators are spring actuated and have a tendency to become stuck open or closed. When 'clos'edthe said valvesact as a trap to the cold air contained in the radiator and preventing the 'said'radiator from properly heating, andcausing pounding noises therein. When open the said air valves have a tendency to dissipate the incoming steam before it may heat the radiator. Therefore I have provided a thermostatically responsive air valve which will correct both of the above-mentioned faults in a manner to be hereinafter described. a

An important object of my invention is to provide a thermostatically responsive air valve attachable to the steam vent of a steam radiator for the purpose of controlling and maintaining the heating propensity of the said steam radiator by first allowing the forceful election of cold air therefrom and then closing to prevent the escape of the heated steam vapor with which the radiator is heated.

A further object of my invention is to provide a thermostatically responsive air valve in which the valve means is actuated and controlled by bimetallic means anchored therein. The said bimetallic means, of course, is responsive to the thermostatic conditions within the air valve.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a thermostatically responsive air valve which is made of a number of easily assembled parts to provide easy access to the working parts if and when they require attention.

A further object of my invention is to provide a thermostatically responsive air valve so designed as to permit economical manufacture in mass production.

Other objects and advantages embraced in my invention will be disclosed in the following description and in the accompanying illustrations in which like parts are designated by like numerals. and in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a steam radiator showing my invention attached thereto and with parts broken away to show passage of steam vapor and cold air therethrough.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of my invention taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of my invention taken substantially on line 3-3 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentarycross-sectional view taken substantially on line 4- -4 on Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a top view of my invention partly in cross-section taken looking in the direction of line 5-5 on. Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of'my invention showing a modification of the bi-metallic strip means therein.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary view of the bimetallic strip means taken looking in the direction of lines 'l'| on Figure 6.

Referring to the illustrations, my invention is generally designated 8, and consists of a valve body 9 made preferably of brass or like noncorroding and heat resisting material. A removable cap portion l0 and a removable base portion ll are suitably inter-connected to the valve body 9 by threaded portions l8 and IS. A chamber is formed by the assembly of the valve body 9, cap portion [0 and base II. The said chamber communicates with a duct H in the threaded nipple it, which in connection with the radiator steam vent l2 forms the attaching and connecting means between the air valve 8 and a steam radiator l3. The said steam radiator i3 is connected by means of steam control valve [5 to the steam intake pipe M, as shown in Figure 1.

The cap portion I0 is somewhat extended by means of a reduced portion 2| into which is counter bored a passage 22 to provide communication between the chamber 20 and a reduced bore 24 through a connecting valve seat 23. The said reduced bore 24 in turn communicates with a transverse air vent 25 within reduced portion 2|. An air passage 26 independently connects the tapered valve seat 23 with chamber 20.

The needle point 28 of a needle valve 21 seats in herm'etical and steam-tight relationships in the tapered seat 23 and in the counter bored passage '22. In the lowered or open position, as shown in solid lines in Figures 2 and 3, the needle valve 2! permits a passage of air from chamber 20 through air passage 26, reduced bore 24 and out the transverse air vent 25. In a raised or closed position the needle point 28 seals the opening of airpassage 26 to prevent the passage of steam vapor from the chamber 20. The said needle valve 21 is pivoted at 29 to a bifurcated valve actuating arm 30, which is articulately mounted at 3| by means of a semi-cylindrical end thereon within an articulate pocket portion 4| within the wall of cap In, as best shown in Figures 1 and 6.

An arm actuating roller 32 is mounted within the twin-cared end 33 of a bi-metallic strip 34, and rides in the bifurcation 42 of the said bifurcated valve actuating arm 30.

. The bi-metallic strip means 34 is commonly made. of two thin strips of metals of different coefiicien'ts of expansion welded together as best shown in Figure '7 and in the illustrated Figures 2 and 3, is curved at its lower end into a coiled portion 35, which is anchored to an anchoring rod 36 fixedly mounted within the base H. Bimetallic strips are thermostatically actuated; that is, they are caused to benduor flex by changes in the temperature of the air of vapors with which they are in contact within the heat ranges of this particular bi-metallic element.

In operation, my thermostatically responsive air valve is mounted in the radiator steam vent as shown in Figure 1. As the steam is turned on in the radiator l3 by means of steam control valve l5, pressure is created within the said radiator I3, hence it is necessary that the cold air therein be allowed to escape. In its normal or open position as hereinbefore described the cold air within radiator l3 as designated by arrows 38 may pass through duct l1 into chamber 2i);

thence through air passage 26, through reduced bore 24 and out the transverse air vent 25. As

the inpouring steam vapor which is designated 31, fills the radiator f3 and forces therefrom the cold air 38, the radiator is caused to be heated, which in turn heats air valve 8, causing the bimetallic strip 34 therein to gradually straighten and move the roller mounted end 33 in an arc towards the center of the chamber as shown by phantom lines in Figure 2. The arcuate movement of the said bi-metallic strip 34 causes an articulation upwardly of the bifurcated valveactuating arm 30, thereby closing the needle valve 21 and seating the needle point 28 thereof within the tapered valve seat 23. In this closed position the steam vapors 31 are trapped within the radiator l3 until the full benefit of the heat is transferred to the metal walls of the said radiator I3.

As the heat of the steam vapor 3? is gradually dissipated and the radiator is cooled the bi-metallic strip 34 is again thermostatically actuated; this time to open the needle valve 21 in the manner hereinbefore described, allowing the cycle of operation to be repeated.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a slight improvement or modification to the bi-metallic strip, designated 39, which is anchored at 4!) to the anchoring rod 36. The said bi-metallic strip modification 39 consists of a straight strip of bi-metal as shown in Figure 6.

A most important advantage of my invention is its temperature controlled feature of automatic valve regulation which will not become stuck or frozen in one position, as is the case of spring actuated air valves, thus insuring proper temperature control of the radiator at all times.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus disclosed and revealed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Thermostatically responsive air valve means comprising, a valve body provided with a removable top portion and a removable bottom portion forming an air chamber, a valve seat and an exhaust port communicating therewith both located in a reduced exterior on the said top portion, a bifurcated needle valve actuating arm articulately mounted in a pocket portion of the said top portion, a needle valve pivotably mounted on the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, an anchor rod secured to the said bottom portion, and bimetallic means anchored to the said anchor rod its free end confined in the bifurcation of the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm.

2. Thermostatically responsive air valve means comprising, a valve body provided with a removable top portion and a removable bottom portion forming an air chamber, a valve seat and an exhaust port communicating therewith both located in a reduced exterior on the said top portion, a bifurcated needle valve actuating arm articulately mounted in a. pocket portion of the said top portion, a needle valve pivotably mounted on the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, an anchor rod secured to the said bottom portion, bimetallic means anchored to the said anchor rod its free end confined in the bifurcation of the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, and an air passage establishing communication between the said air chamber and the said exhaust port through the said valve seat when the said needle valve is unseated.

3. Thermostatically responsive air valve means comprising, a valve body provided with a removable top portion and a removable bottom portion forming an air chamber, a valve seat and an exhaust port communicatin therewith both located in a reduced exterior on the said top portion, a bifurcated needle valve actuating arm articulately mounted in a pocket portion of the said top portion, a needle valve pivotably mounted on the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, an anchor rod secured to the said bottom portion, bimetallic means anchored to the said anchor rod its free end confined in the bifurcation of the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, and threaded nipple means on the said bottom portion for securing the said valve body to a radiator.

4. Thermostatically responsive air valve means comprising, a valve body provided with a removable top portion and a removable bottom portion forming an air chamber, a valve seat and an exhaust port communicating therewith both located in a reduced exterior on the said top portion, a bifurcated needle valve actuating arm articulately mounted in a pocket portion of the said top portion, a needle valve pivotably mounted on the said bifurcated needle valve actuatin arm, an anchor rod secured to the said bottom portion, bimetallic means anchored to the said anchor rod its free end confined in the bifurcation of the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, one air passage establishing communication between the said air chamber and the said exhaust port through the said valve seat when the said needle valve is unseated, and threaded nipple means on the said bottom portion for securing the said valve body to a radiator.

5. Thermostatically responsive air valve means comprising, a valve body provided with a removable top portion and a removable bottom portion forming an air chamber, a valve seat and an exhaust port communicating therewith both located in a reduced exterior on the said top portion, a bifurcated needle valve actuating arm articulately mounted in a pocket portion of the said top portion, a needle valve pivotably mounted on the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, an anchor rod secured to the said bottom portion, and bimetallic means anchored to the said anchor rod its free end confined in the bifurcation of the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, the said bimetallic element being provided with coiled means adjacent the anchor end thereof to facilitate the movement of the free end thereof.

6. Thermostatically responsive air valve means comprising, a valve body provided with a removable top portion and a removable bottom portion forming an air chamber, a valve seat and an exhaust port communicating therewith both located in a reduced exterior on the said top portion, a bifurcated needle valve actuating arm articulately mounted in a pocket portion of the said top portion, a needle valve pivotably mounted on the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, an anchor rod secured to the said bottom portion, bimetallic means anchored to the said anchor rod its free end confined in the bifurcation of the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, and an air passage establishing communication between the said air chamber and the said exhaust port through the said valve seat when the said needle valve is unseated, the said bimetallic element being provided with coiled means adjacent the anchored end thereof to facilitate the movement ofthe free end thereof.

7. Thermostatically responsive air valve means comprising, a valve body provided with a removable top portion and a removable bottom portion forming an air chamber, a valve seat and an exhaust port communicating therewith both located in a reduced exterior on the said top portion, a bifurcated needle valve actuating arm articulately mounted in a pocket portion of the said top portion, a needle valve pivotably mounted on the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, an anchor rod secured to the said bottom portion, bimetallic means anchored to the said anchor rod its free end confined in the bifurcation of the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, threaded nipple means on the said bottom portion for securing the side valve body to a radiator, the said bimetallic element being provided with coiled means adjacent the anchored end thereof to facilitate the movement of the free end thereof.

8. Thermostatically responsive air valve means comprising, a valve body provided with a removable top portion and a removable bottom portion forming an air chamber, a valve seat and an exhaust port communicating therewith both located in a reduced exterior on the said top portion, a bifurcated needle valve actuating arm articulately mounted in a pocket portion of the said top portion, a needle valve pivotably mounted on the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, an anchor rod secured to the said bottom portion, bimetallic means anchored to the said anchor rod its free end confined in the bifurcation of the said bifurcated needle valve actuating arm, an air passage establishing communication between the said air chamber and the said exhaust port through the said valve seat when the said needle valve is unseated, and threaded nipple means on the said bottom portion for securing the said valve body to a radiator, the said bimetallic means being provided with coiled means adjacent the anchored end thereof to facilitate the movement of the free end thereof.

WALTER EBERHARDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 265,239 Brown Oct. 3, 1882 1,426,150 Carmel Aug. 15, 1922 1,699,668 Meyer Jan. 22, 1929 2,123,979 Ward July 19, 1938 

